1. They probably need something below US$600 to compete on the lower end, which many existing Chromebooks are.
The current first gen Googlebook higher end laptops use Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) or Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors. They are all above US$800.
The new ones can use Intel Wildcat Lake, Qualcomm Snapdragon X1/X2 Plus and MediaTek Dimensity CX on the mid-range (US$600 to US$800). They can also use Snapdragon C series on the low end (US$400 to US$600).
At the current RAM/SSD pricing situation, below US$400 Googlebook laptops may be difficult in 2027. Snapdragon C series were targeting this market.
Reference.
https://www.techpowerup.com/351578/...h-snapdragon-c-outruns-intel-n250-by-up-to-67
Qualcomm is finally unveiling the specifications of its entry-level, low-cost Snapdragon C platform. According to the specifications, the platform features up to eight Arm cores for systems expected to start around the $300 mark. In a market where DRAM and NAND Flash are extremely expensive, Qualcomm aims to give students, families, and basic office workers a modern laptop at a low price of just $300.
2. Google AI Summary of Chromebook CPU Class Comparison
| Class | Primary CPU Examples | Best Used For | Typical Price Range |
|---|
| Entry-Level | Intel N100/N200, Celeron, Pentium, MediaTek Kompanio 520, Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c | Basic browsing, homework, video streaming | Under $300 |
| Mid-Range | Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3, MediaTek Kompanio 1380 | Heavy multitasking, AI tools, photo editing (Chromebook Plus) | $300 - $600 |
| Premium | Intel Core i5/i7/Ultra, AMD Ryzen 5/7, Kompanio Ultra | Linux apps, coding, local video editing, gaming | Over $650 |
3. Reference
Chromebook Plus OS update eligibility
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/14128000?hl=en
Chromebook Plus is a new category of Chromebook that offers powerful specs and advanced apps for productivity and creativity. Learn more about Chromebook Plus.
In addition to the newly launched Chromebooks, specified Chromebook models that meet the below hardware specifications qualify for an OS update to include enhanced features.
CPU: Intel Core i3 12th Generation or above, or AMD Ryzen 3 5000 series or above
RAM: 8 GB or more
Storage: 128 GB or more
Web camera: 1080p or better with Temporal Noise Reduction
Display: Full HD IPS or better